December 10 Silver Spirit anchored in a huge bay near Belize City. We were a good distance out from the pier since the water in the bay is very shallow except in the dredged channel. Instead of our ship's tenders taking us ashore, a large catamaran ferry from the port sped us at about 30 mph to the pier. This saved at least half an hour giving us more time four our all-day tour.
Soon our twenty person tour group to the Lamanai temples, boarded a tour bus for an hour ride north to the New River. From there we split into two groups and boarded speedboats for another hour ride up the river to the temple site.
Belize is the former British Honduras. It is the only English speaking country in Central America. It's population is a mix of Mestizo (mixed race), Mayan, English, Spanish and black peoples. It is the least populous Central American Country. Surprisingly, there is a Dutch-German Mennonite group, mainly in rural areas, that supplies most of the local fruits, vegetables and grains. Sugar cane is still raised in the countryside and we passed a rum distillery on the river.
Ironically, it was next to an alcohol rehabilitation center.
The area from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Nicaragua is dotted with the ruins of Mayan cities and temples. Lamanai is not one of the largest nor one of the more famous temple complexes but it offers a really fascinating view of a partially excavated Mayan site in real wilderness jungle. Our tour was lead by a guide who was most knowledgeable about the archaeology and history of the site and explained why scientists have concluded what the use and purpose of the various structures are.
Michael and I both thought that this was the best tour on the entire trip.
Soon our twenty person tour group to the Lamanai temples, boarded a tour bus for an hour ride north to the New River. From there we split into two groups and boarded speedboats for another hour ride up the river to the temple site.
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| Tour Guide Julie |
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| Our Rainy Embarkation on the New River |
Belize is the former British Honduras. It is the only English speaking country in Central America. It's population is a mix of Mestizo (mixed race), Mayan, English, Spanish and black peoples. It is the least populous Central American Country. Surprisingly, there is a Dutch-German Mennonite group, mainly in rural areas, that supplies most of the local fruits, vegetables and grains. Sugar cane is still raised in the countryside and we passed a rum distillery on the river.
Ironically, it was next to an alcohol rehabilitation center.
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| Spider Monkey |
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| Mennonite Farm |
The area from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Nicaragua is dotted with the ruins of Mayan cities and temples. Lamanai is not one of the largest nor one of the more famous temple complexes but it offers a really fascinating view of a partially excavated Mayan site in real wilderness jungle. Our tour was lead by a guide who was most knowledgeable about the archaeology and history of the site and explained why scientists have concluded what the use and purpose of the various structures are.
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| The Jaguar Temple |
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| Intrepid Travelers Scale the Main Temple |
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| I Heard the View From the Top was Lots of Jungle |
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| Stela 9 Temple |
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| Carving on the Stela - Lord Smoking Skull |
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| Mask Temple - Female Face, Left - Male Face, Right |
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| Detail of Female Face |
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| Michael Climbs the Mask Temple |
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| Unexcavated Palace |
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| Belize City Pier at Sunset |
Michael and I both thought that this was the best tour on the entire trip.
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